Why Nicky Henderson can land opening race at the Cheltenham Festival

In the second of a weekly series analysing the best ante-post bets for Cheltenham, Rob Wright picks out an exciting novice hurdler to back

Nicky Henderson has saddled three winners of the Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, which opens the Cheltenham Festival, and he can again get the meeting off to a flyer with Claimantakinforgan.

Having won the race in 1986 and 1992, Henderson suffered a host of near-misses in recent years in this grade one contest before striking gold again with Altior two years ago.

Claimantakinforgan looks an ideal candidate to get the Lambourn trainer on the scoresheet again. He was one of last season’s leading performers in bumpers, when his efforts included a fine third in the Champion Bumper at the Festival, despite racing too keenly for his own good early on.

Claimantakinforgan, right, has won both starts over hurdles in fine style, most recently in grade two company at AscotAlan Crowhurst/Getty Images

He seems to have matured this season, proving more tractable in his races and winning…

Want to read more?

Subscribe now and get unlimited digital access on web and our smartphone and tablet apps, free for your first month.